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Hiking Mount Umunhum

March 12, 2018 By Jeff H Leave a Comment

Hiking Mount Umunhum

Mount Umunhum is one of the tallest peaks in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and has a rich history, first as a sacred site for Native Americans (“umunhum” means “resting place of the humming bird”), and more recently as a Cold War-era Air Force radar station. The radar station closed in 1980, and the land acquired for the Sierra Azul Open Space in 1986. The summit itself remained closed until fall of 2017, when remediation and clean-up work was mostly completed.

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Trail Details
Summit: 3,486′ (1,062.5m)
Distance: 7.7 miles
Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain/loss: +/- 1,141′
Dogs: No
When to go: Year-round
This out-and-back route begins at the Baldy Mountain parking area off Mt Umunhum Road. The trail climbs 1,141 feet to the summit, currently with a detour for the last 1/4 mile. This shady, well-engineered trail is home to plenty of wildlife, and the summit has views of the Santa Cruz Bay in one direction, and Silicon Valley in the other – when it’s not shrouded in clouds.

Getting to the Trailhead

The trail begins at the Bald Mountain trailhead parking area in the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, about 40 minutes south of San Jose. Once you get on the narrow and crooked Hicks Road, you’ll follow it to Mt Umunhum Road and head uphill to the Bald Mountain parking area. There are parking spots for over 20 cars, and pit toilets and information signs with a map of the area, rules and regulations.

Mt Umunhum is part of the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve
Plenty of parking at Bald Mountain parking area, at least during mid-week.
There are over 20 spaces.
There are two pit toilets at the trailhead.
Take a moment to check the info signs at the parking area for any updates on conditions.
The Mt Umunhum Trail begins across the road from the parking. No dogs allowed. Sorry Fido.
The rules are for the trail are clearly posted.

You can get turn-by-turn driving directions here on Google Maps. I drove down from Berkeley after rush hour on a Monday and my drive time was about 90 minutes.

Hiking to Mount Umunhum

Take a moment to check the latest park information at the information boards, then follow the crosswalk across Mt Umunhum Road to the trailhead.

The Mt Umunhum Trail sign

The trail to the summit is 3.7 miles each way (7.4 miles or roughly 12 km round trip). I logged a bit more just wandering around the summit and learning more about the history from the info panels.  This trail is also part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail – an epic loop that’s on my to-hike list.

Moss-covered trees on Mt Umunhum
Feathery moss grows on many of the trunks
The clouds made the trail more ethereal
Foggy, misty day on Mt Umunhum
Smooth tree trunks on the Mt Umunhum Trail

The forested trail was lush and green in January, with light rain keeping me cool and the clouds cloaking the trail in an ethereal mist. At about 0.4 miles, the trail reaches a junction with the Barlow Road trail – a double-track dirt road that descends down and connects with the Woods Trail. Follow the jog across Barlow Road and continue on the Mt Umunhum Trail as is climbs gradually up the north slope of Mount Umunhum.

Cross Barlow Road and continue up the Mt Umunhum Trail

The trail follows the contour of the mountain, crossing several watersheds via well-crafted footbridges. Walk quietly and you might be lucky enough to visit with some of the “locals” on the mountain.

Curious deer checking me out on Mt Umunhum

Halfway to the summit there is a short spur to the Guadalupe Creek Overlook. It doesn’t add appreciable distance to the hike, though the view was obscured by the clouds.

Guadalupe Creek Overlook

With less than 1/4 mile to the summit, the view opens up a bit and the “cube” comes into view.

Mount Umunhum cube

This cube is actually six-stories tall and was the base upon which the giant radar antenna stood. On a clear day, this landmark is visible from many parts of the South Bay. Unfortunately, that last segment of the trail is currently closed for further remediation and cleanup. You can still hike to the summit, following the detour that takes you over to the main summit parking area.

Detour for the last .2 miles to the summit
Picnic area below Mt Um
Concrete steps from the summit parking area to the top

From here, you climb a series of steps to the summit.

The Cube at the top of Mount Umunhum

Mount Umunhum Trail Map & Elevation Profile

© OpenStreetMap contributors
Download file: mt-umunhum-12218-110720am.gpx

NorCal Six-Pack of Peaks ChallengeMount Umunhum Resources

  • The summit is open from 7am to 30 minutes after sunset.
  • There are no fees for entrance or parking, and there are no permits required.
  • The parking is limited and can be crowded on weekends. If possible, go early or go on a weekday.
  • Check the official Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve website for updates on current conditions, events, rules and regulations.
  • Download the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve Map (PDF).
  • Mount Umunhum is part of the NorCal Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, a great way to train for bigger adventures that supports Big City Mountaineers.
  • Redwood Hikes has an overview of this trail with photos from a sunny day.

Mount Umunhum Weather Forecast

The location could not be found.

Originally hiked on January 22, 2018.

Filed Under: Trail Guides Tagged With: 6-8 miles, moderate, NorCal, peakbagging, Santa Cruz Mountains, Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, Six-Pack of Peaks, vista

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Jeff H

About Jeff H

I'm an avid hiker and backpacker. My wife Joan and I are on the trails every weekend. I started SoCal Hiker to share my passion for outdoor adventure.

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